Recent media coverage of the appalling sexist bias in grants, applications and positions in the sciences in academia so shocked me that I was moved to wonder if there were not other incomprehensible examples of structural biases elsewhere in academia. I thought I should work from the top down, and there can be no institution more revered for its fairminded conduct than the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, with its commitment to the most progressive of ideals. I assumed that given their professed idealism, there would be little to report, and I could quickly move on. But I have shocking news: there is, from my admittedly cursory examination, clear evidence of a persistent sexist bias in its granting of awards and employment! What a blow! Here are the facts, as best I can tell.
100% of full-time faculty - all of the same gender!
75% of part-time faculty - all of the same gender!
100% of postgraduate award winners - all of the same gender!
96% of research associates - all of the same gender!
100% of postdoctoral scholars - all of the same gender!
Even 100% of the staff - all of the same gender!
The gender quotient of allocation of their four scholarships (go to arts & sciences, and then women's studies) is hard to ascertain, but from the available information it seems no less than 75% for just one gender, and likely much higher!
In light of this shocking news, and given the statements some of its faculty have recently made regarding the illegitimacy of other contributing factors in the allocation of positions and prizes for research, it is clear the Institute must initiate a serious reflection on its own, undoubtedly unconscious, sexist behaviour. And I haven't even gotten into the unconscious racism: under-representation of the Chinese (20% of the world population, and zero representation at the Institute!), Indians (17% of the world population but almost zero at the Institute!), etc..
There is no shame in admitting these biases - it is in fact all to one's honour to be able to recognise one's errors, however unconscious. Speaking of the Chinese, I think they used to have an excellent re-education system for all the benighted and unenlightened - perhaps that is something that could inspire the Institute as it engages in the crucial "re-visioning" exercise which must inevitably follow these shocking revelations. Sisters and brothers, it is time to gather your yoga mats, your best uruguayan folk mixes, your strongest chamomile teas, your least flatulent bean-based vegan takeout, your strongest bulgarian red wine, and all other necessary supplies (don't forget your fair trade sandals - for safety's sake, it may not be possible to always go barefoot), and gather for a fundamental reexamination of your minds, yourselves. I know that you engage in such re-examinations on grueling daily basis in any event, but this one, considering the issues of unconscious structural racism and sexism that strike at the very soul of the Institute, must be especially profound. Remember, spare nothing, bring the very strongest chamomile teas!
I feel your pain. In solidarity, in this difficult time,
EFL
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